The Revitalization of Cambridge, Maryland

If you haven’t been to Cambridge recently, you’re overdue to reacquaint yourself. The town has experienced a remarkable transformation over the last decade—and today its vibrant, bustling downtown is in stark contrast to its hard times past. A new generation of entrepreneurs—many of them locals—have revived the glorious but shuttered storefronts, clearing away the economic cobwebs left after the mighty Phillips Packing Company closed in the 1960’s. Galleries, shops, museums and a bevy of hip new restaurants have earned the classic Chesapeake community a well-deserved reputation as one of the region’s top foodie destinations.

Visitors to Cambridge should come hungry and come often. You can’t miss the slate of downtown eateries established by restauranteur and chef Patrick Fanning, whose Highspot gastropub, Stoked wood fired pizzeria, Blackwater coffee shop/ bakery and Rock Lobstah New England-inspired seafood joint make sure that you can walk a block in any direction and get an excellent meal. For those looking for a high-end dining experience full of local flavors and ingredients, the stellar Zagat ratings of Poplar Street’s Bistro Poplar say it all. And classic Chesapeake staples are prepared with love at Jimmy and Sooks and Canvasback, where those seeking a fat crabcake are sure to find bliss.

Non-profit organization Cambridge Main Street is committed to seeing that the local renaissance flows beyond the restaurants into the streets, touching as many parts of the community as possible. They’ve helped to organize festivals like Taste of Cambridge, Cambridge Beerfest, and Groove- FEST that entice downtown crowds with brews, bites, and music, and to provide support and promotion for locally-oriented walking tours, First Fridays, the annual Ironman Triathlon and a farmer’s market. Cambridge Main Street has also partnered with another local organization, Eastern Shore Network for Change, to highlight Cambridge’s rich African-American history and provide community opportunities to discuss the reverberations of Civil-Rights era unrest and rioting.

From crabcakes to culture to craft brew, Cambridge’s star is on the rise. It’s a small town with a lot of local flavor, sure to satisfy any visitor’s appetite for a great meal and a truly authentic Chesapeake experience.

Learn more at www.cambridgemainstreet.com